July 2025 | Page 4 of 48

Six Dead, Seven Missing in Jigawa Boat Tragedy Involving School-Aged Girls

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

Tragedy struck in Jigawa State as a wooden boat carrying mostly school-aged girls capsized, leaving six people confirmed dead and seven others still missing. The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) confirmed the incident, which occurred in Zangon Maje, Taura Local Government Area of the state. According to officials, the boat was transporting 17 passengers—16 of them girls aged between 10 and 13—from Digawa in Jahun Local Government Area to Zangon Maje when it capsized midway across the river. So far, six bodies have been recovered and two survivors rescued. Search and rescue efforts are ongoing to locate the remaining seven missing passengers. The accident has once again raised serious concerns about the safety of informal transport systems, particularly on inland waterways and among vulnerable groups such as children. Authorities have urged community members to exercise caution and avoid overcrowded or unlicensed water transport vessels, especially during the rainy season when water levels are high and unpredictable. The state government is yet to issue an official statement, but local emergency response teams remain at the scene to assist with recovery efforts and provide support to affected families. Ask ChatGPT

35 Women and Children Rescued from Bandits in Niger State Set to Return Home

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

Thirty-five women and children who were abducted by bandits in Niger State have been rescued by the Nigeria Police and are now set to be reunited with their families and communities. The victims, comprising 16 women and 19 children, were taken hostage at different times, with some of the abductions dating as far back as 11 years ago. The most recent incidents occurred in February 2024 in Shiroro and Rafi Local Government Areas. According to police sources, the rescue operation took place between July 3 and 5, when the victims were intercepted while being moved to another location by their captors. Tragically, many of the rescued women had been forcibly married to their abductors and now have children born during their captivity. One of the victims, Zuera Ahmed, disclosed that she was kidnapped from Maiduguri in 2013 and has since given birth to two children while in captivity. Authorities revealed that following their initial rescue, some of the women expressed a reluctance to return home, citing psychological trauma and long-term attachment to their captors. However, after days of therapy and counselling, the victims have agreed to reintegrate into society. Plans are currently underway to facilitate their safe return and provide continued psychosocial and economic support to aid their recovery and reintegration. The rescue comes amid heightened security operations across the country, with Nigerian security forces stepping up efforts to dismantle bandit camps and restore peace in affected regions. This latest success underscores the ongoing commitment by security agencies to combat kidnapping and other forms of insecurity, particularly in the North Central region.

SERHA Commits N200 Million to Tinubu’s 2027 Re-Election Bid, Launches Grassroots Mobilisation in South-East

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

A political support group, the South East Renewed Hope Agenda (SERHA), has announced a commitment of ₦200 million to support the re-election campaign of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu ahead of the 2027 presidential elections. The announcement was made by the National Coordinator of SERHA, Belusochukwu Enwere, during the inauguration and empowerment ceremony of the group’s Imo State chapter held in Owerri, the state capital. According to Enwere, the funds will be used for the purchase of the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential nomination form for President Tinubu, as well as other campaign logistics. He said the group is determined to ensure the president’s re-election by driving grassroots mobilisation across the South-East region. “Today, we present a cheque of ₦200 million for the purchase of the presidential nomination form and associated logistics,” Enwere stated at the event, which also marked the conclusion of SERHA’s South-East tour. As part of the event, SERHA distributed various empowerment items including motorcycles, mini buses, sewing machines, hairdressing kits, and cash grants to local residents in a bid to promote economic self-reliance and community development. Enwere praised President Tinubu’s administration for its focus on infrastructure development, education, and inclusive governance in the South-East, describing him as a “performing president.” He also acknowledged the legacy of prominent leaders from Imo State such as the late Chief Sam Mbakwe and Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, and commended Governor Hope Uzodinma’s achievements under the 3R Agenda. Looking ahead, Enwere disclosed that SERHA would begin a comprehensive mobilisation tour of all 95 local government areas and 2,344 wards across the five South-East states starting in August. “This is the turn of Southern Nigeria to complete our eight years,” he said. “The people of the South-East will not back down to ensure Tinubu’s victory in 2027.” The inauguration event was attended by political stakeholders, community leaders, and supporters from across the region, underscoring growing momentum for President Tinubu’s re-election campaign in the South-East.

CAC to Delist 100,000 Inactive Companies Over Non-Compliance

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

By Kamal Yalwa – July 29, 2025 The Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) has announced plans to delist no fewer than 100,000 companies from its register due to prolonged inactivity and failure to comply with statutory obligations under the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020. In a public notice issued by the Commission, the affected companies were flagged for either not carrying on business, being inactive for over a decade, or failing to meet key regulatory requirements, particularly the filing of annual returns and disclosure of Persons with Significant Control (PSC). The CAC has provided a 90-day window from the date of the notice for affected companies to regularize their records or risk being struck off the register. Compliance Steps for Affected Companies To avoid delisting, companies are required to: The Commission warned that “it shall be unlawful for any company struck off the Register of Companies to continue carrying on business unless it is restored by an order of the Federal High Court.” This move is not without precedent. A similar exercise was conducted last year, where companies that failed to comply following a July 2024 notice were formally delisted in November 2024. Legal Basis and Consequences The CAC noted that it is exercising its powers under Section 692(4) of the Companies and Allied Matters Act (CAMA) 2020 to delist companies that have defaulted on their statutory obligations for at least 10 years. Companies delisted through this process are deemed legally dissolved from the date of publication. The Commission warned the public against doing business with any company that has been struck off the register, noting that “it is illegal to enter into any transaction or deal with a company that has been dissolved.” Understanding Annual Returns Annual returns are a mandatory filing that confirms a company is still active and compliant. For companies, annual returns must be filed within 42 days after each incorporation anniversary, while business names must file by June 30 each year. Failure to comply attracts penalties, including fines, additional filing fees, and the ultimate risk of being struck off the CAC register. The full list of affected companies is available on the Commission’s official website.

Tragedy as Five UNIPORT Students Die in Road Accident in Port Harcourt

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago02 mins

At least five students of the University of Port Harcourt (UNIPORT) have lost their lives in a fatal road accident that occurred on Monday, July 28, in Port Harcourt, Rivers State. The tragic incident took place along the Eliozu–Rumuokoro Road when a shuttle bus conveying the students reportedly collided with a stationary trailer. Eyewitnesses at the scene said the impact of the collision was severe, leading to the immediate deaths of several passengers believed to be UNIPORT students. Videos from the accident scene show officials of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) recovering bodies and placing them into a waiting van. As of the time of filing this report, authorities had not yet released an official statement or disclosed the identities of the victims. The accident has thrown the university community into mourning, with many calling for improved road safety measures and the regulation of heavy-duty vehicles parked along busy commuter routes. Further updates are expected as investigations continue.

Man Shot Dead While Buying Food in Lagos Community

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago04 mins

A yet-to-be-identified man was shot dead by gunmen while attempting to buy food at Ojo-Igbede, in the Ojo area of Lagos State. The incident, which occurred on Saturday, July 19, has sparked fear among residents of the community. PUNCH Metro gathered that the victim, who was reportedly new to the area, had stepped out to purchase a plate of food from a vendor when two men on a motorcycle arrived at the scene. According to an eyewitness, the assailants—both wearing caps—approached the man while he was in line, ordered him to kneel (or lie down, as some accounts state), and then shot him in the head at close range. The attackers fled the scene immediately after the shooting, leaving the victim in a pool of blood. “The victim is new in this area, and no one knew his name. He had only come out to buy cooked food. While he was in the queue with others, two men on a motorcycle arrived and beckoned to him. When he went closer, they asked him to lie down. At first, he refused but later complied. Then they shot him,” a witness told our correspondent. Photos obtained by PUNCH Metro showed the lifeless body of the victim as onlookers gathered around. An anti-cultism advocacy group on X (formerly Twitter) also commented on the incident, suggesting that the murder may be cult-related. The platform claimed that the attackers were members of the Aye cult group, although the victim’s possible affiliation remains unclear. “Another man was killed in Ojo. Aye cultists claimed it, but there was controversy surrounding the victim’s affiliation. Sources confirmed that the victim had just moved into the area and was out buying food when he was called out and executed,” the post read. A resident, identified only as Bode, described the incident as terrifying and said it had prompted community members to strengthen their local security measures. “There was serious panic after the shooting. No one knows who could be next, so we’ve decided to be more vigilant and proactive with our community security,” Bode said. Efforts to reach the Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful as calls to his line went unanswered. A text message sent to his phone also remained unreplied as of the time of filing this report. This incident comes on the heels of another recent killing reported by PUNCH Metro, in which a man identified as Scoro was stabbed to death in the Lagos Island area during a public brawl linked to a property dispute. Three suspects were later arrested in connection with that case.

Thailand Accuses Cambodia of Violating Fresh Ceasefire Deal Amid Border Tensions

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago05 mins

By Kamal Yalwa | July 29, 2025 Thailand has accused Cambodia of “deliberately” violating a newly brokered ceasefire agreement aimed at halting border hostilities that have killed at least 33 people and displaced tens of thousands. The ceasefire, agreed upon by both nations on Monday, was supposed to bring an end to five days of intense bombardments and rocket attacks along their disputed border. However, Thai military officials claimed that despite halting fire at midnight, they continued to receive gunfire from Cambodian forces at multiple locations into Tuesday morning. In contrast, Cambodia’s Ministry of Defence told AFP that there had been “no armed clashes” since the ceasefire took effect. Despite the tensions, military commanders from both sides held talks on Tuesday as part of the truce arrangement. They reportedly agreed to halt further attacks, suspend troop movements at the frontline, and allow each side to retrieve their dead. Tensions between the Southeast Asian neighbours have been escalating since May, when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a skirmish near the contested border. The conflict intensified last week after five Thai soldiers were injured by a landmine, prompting Thailand to shut some border crossings, expel the Cambodian ambassador, and recall its envoy from Phnom Penh. The conflict reached a flashpoint when Cambodia launched multiple rocket attacks into Thai territory after both sides exchanged gunfire last Thursday. Several civilians were killed, and more lives were lost in the days that followed, forcing tens of thousands of residents to evacuate to shelters. Heavy exchanges of fire continued up until the midnight deadline for the ceasefire on Monday, with Thailand reportedly conducting airstrikes on Cambodian positions. Despite Thailand’s latest accusations, Cambodia’s Prime Minister Hun Manet said on Tuesday morning that “frontlines have eased” since the truce came into force. The ceasefire deal, which mandates troop withdrawals and independent monitoring, was the outcome of a meeting between Hun Manet and Thai Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai in Malaysia. The meeting was facilitated by Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim. Cambodia, militarily outmatched by Thailand, had been actively pushing for a ceasefire. Hun Manet described the negotiations as a “very good meeting.” Thailand, initially hesitant to engage in talks, agreed to the truce after U.S. President Donald Trump threatened to suspend trade negotiations unless both sides ceased hostilities. Long-standing tensions over a centuries-old border dispute have strained relations between Thailand and Cambodia for years. A major flashpoint was the 2008 attempt by Cambodia to register the 11th-century Preah Vihear temple—located in the contested area—as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which triggered a strong backlash from Thailand. Since May, the conflict has reached its most dangerous levels in over a decade. Both countries have imposed trade and border restrictions, with Cambodia banning imports of Thai fruits, vegetables, and digital services, while both sides ramped up their military presence along the border. The situation remains tense as the international community watches closely for signs of de-escalation.

Woman Arrested for Allegedly Stabbing Boyfriend to Death Over Infidelity in Ondo

Fola Badmus2 months ago2 months ago03 mins

By Kamal Yalwa– July 29, 2025 The Ondo State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of a woman identified as Augustina Mowari for allegedly stabbing her boyfriend, Michael Ikuedowoni, to death during a domestic dispute over suspected infidelity. The incident reportedly occurred on Sunday in Okitipupa, the headquarters of Okitipupa Local Government Area of the state. According to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr. Olayinka Ayanlade, an argument broke out between the couple which escalated into violence, leading to the fatal stabbing. “There was an argument between the two, which led to the suspect stabbing the victim with scissors. He later died in the hospital,” Ayanlade stated. He added that the suspect is currently in police custody, and the case will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations. A source familiar with the couple revealed that Mowari and Ikuedowoni had been cohabiting in a one-room apartment and had frequent quarrels related to trust and suspected cheating. “Both of them had been having issues. The lady accused Michael of cheating on her with another woman, which led to a heated argument. In the course of the fight, she brought out a pair of scissors and stabbed him in the leg,” the source said. Initially, Ikuedowoni was taken to a nearby hospital, treated, and discharged. However, his condition worsened later at home, prompting another hospital visit. Despite efforts by doctors to save him, he was pronounced dead on Sunday night. The Ondo State Police Command has assured the public that a thorough investigation is underway.